Buckle with automatically operating positive release action



3, 1968 F. L. DAVIS 3,396,435

BUCKLE WITH AUTOMATICALLY OPERATING POSITIVE RELEASE ACTION Filed May26, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.1

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FRANK L. DAV/5 ATTO 'NEY.

Aug. 13, 1968 F. l.v DAVIS 3,396,435

BUCKLE WITH AUTOMATICALLY OPERATING POSITIVE RELEASE ACTION Filed May26, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. FEfiM/K L DAV/S 4770 may UnitedStates Patent 3,396,435 BUCKLE WITH AUTOMATICALLY OPERATING POSITIVERELEASE ACTION Frank L. Davis, Fort Salonga, N.Y. Filed May 26, 1967,Ser. No. 644,757 13 Claims. (Cl. 2 1-78) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURESeparable companion plates, one being T-shaped and the other having akey-hole slot formation, interlocking to form the buckle structure, haveleverage parts which with relative angular movement of the plates,cooperate to positively force the plates into disconnected relation.

FIG. 1, in the accompanying drawing illustrating a present preferredembodiment of the invention, is a plan view showing the companion partsof the buckle in separated relation.

FIG. 2 is a similar view showing the buckle parts in connected relation.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view on substantially the plane of line 3-3 ofFIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an edge view showing the parts angled to eifect the automaticrelease of the buckle parts.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing the parts in fully released relation.

FIG. 6 is an edge view showing the head member used as the lever foropening the buckle, instead of the other slotted member, as firstillustrated in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are front edge views of the two buckle forming plates.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are side views of the two plates.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the buckle in closed connectedrelation.

FIG. 12 is a detail of a possible modification.

Special objects of the invention have been to provide simple means forafiecting the release of a buckle subjected to heavy loading or forother reasons difiicult to open.

This has been accomplished by providing a lever on one part of thebuckle disposed to relatively shift the two parts of the buckle intoreleased relation when one part, used as a handle, is shifted angularlyin respect to the other part.

The buckle of the present invention is of the type disclosed in Patents#3,081,506 of Mar. 19, 1963, #3,222,- 739 of Dec. 14, 1965, and#3,225,401 of Dec. 28, 1965, consisting of two generally flat sheetmetal plates engaged in overlapping relation, with one plate 7, having aprojecting neck 8, carrying a head 9, to be passed through an extendedportion 10, of a web slot 11, in the other, companion plate 12, andbearing against an inclined abutment wall portion 13, having a reducedWidth slot extension 14 for such neck portion.

These buckles have met all requirements, particularly for such heavy useas on army pistol belts, but at times may resist quick opening,particularly under heavy loading conditions.

The present invention assures and enables quick, easy opening even underadverse conditions occasioned by loading or by presence of foreignmatter causing the lates to stick together, or the like.

The leverage means comprises in the illustration a lever arm 15,projecting from the abutment wall 13 of the plate 12, over the top ofthe head portion 9 of the first plate 7, in position to force the headportion downward and the plate 12 upward upon the relative rockingmovement of these plates to the angle indicated in FIG. 4.

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The lever arm 15 is shown as an integral extension struck out of theabutment wall at the upper end of the neck receiving extension slot 14therein, long enough to reach and bear down on the head of the otherplate when the two parts are relatively angled to approximately theposition indicated in FIG. 4.

When this point is reached, the parts will separate freely and with aquick snap action, if under stress.

To facilitate this freeing action, the head plate 7 is shown providedwith abutment lugs 16 struck up at the inner edge of the head, atopposite sides of neck 8, and curved at their contacting faces at 17 toact as bearings rolling over the abutment wall as the plates are rockedone over the other.

These lugs thus form contact abutments at opposite sides of the neck andmay serve as guides assisting in directing the plates into theirinterlocked engagement.

To further this guided engagement of the plates, upstanding lugs may beprovided on the slotted plate at opposite ends of the head receivingslot to engage opposite sides of the head, as shown at 18.

When the two plates are to be used for connecting the ends of twolengths of webbing, such as indicated at 19, 20, they may be providedwith web receiving slots 11, FIG. 1, but if used for connecting otherparts they may be provided with other appropriate forms of connectingmeans.

The head plate is shown as having a slight ofiset 23 therein to line upthe two connected lengths of belt webbing, but it will be appreciatedthat if so desired, this plate may be in a single flat plane or curved,or otherwise shaped.

The plates may be quickly and easily connected and disconnected, evenunder load, or if stuck for any cause, may be quickly and positivelyforced apart.

The slotted plate is shown as provided with an extended leverage handle24, for rocking that plate to effect the separation.

If desired, the other, head plate 7, may be provided with a leveragehandle portion by extending the head into the form of a projectinghandle, as indicated at 25.

Thus either one or both plates may be equipped with a handle extensionat the exposed free end of the same, making the buckle convenient foreither left or right hand operation.

While particularly designed for military pistol belts and pants belting,it will be realized that the buckle structure may be adapted and usedfor many different purposes, where parts are to be connected in quicklyengageable and releasable relation.

The web ends may be secured to the plates by looping through web slotsand stitching or the like as first indicated at 11, but if desired, oneor both webs may be adjustably secured, as by means such as disclosed inthe patents mentioned above or by other, special means, such as wedgeclamps to hold the plates in any selected position on the beltingwithout perforating, stitching or otherwise altering the structure orappearance of the belting.

These clamps, indicated generally at 26, may be built onto either one orboth plates by extending bearing lugs 27 down at opposite ends of theplates and pivotally mounting levers 28, therein having angled toothedjaw extensions 29 to grip the under or inner face of the web or beltingmaterial.

This structure enables the buckle plates to be attached in adjustedrelation without perforating or defacing the belt material in any way.

When the buckle is closed the line of force is lower than the lockingmechanism, thus holding the parts engaged in tight relationship untileither leverage arm is lifted to alter this condition and release theparts.

The length and position of the trip arm 15 determines the angle ofrelease, enabling buckles to be made up to separate at diflerentselected angles, and thus to operate with a relatively quick or slowaction.

To facilitate adjustment of the clamp 26, the lever 28 may be providedwith an extension or extensions 30, FIG. 12, disposed at opposite sidesof the belt in convenient position for engagement by a thumb or finger.

Also as shown in this view, the end of the belt may be turned under andsecured in that relation to form a stop 31 for preventing accidentalremoval or loss of the clamp.

What is claimed is:

1. A self-releasable buckle for belts or like purposes, comprising twosubstantially flat sheet metal plates having means for attachment ofbelt webbing or other connecting medium thereto,

one of said plates having a projecting neck and a laterally extendedhead on the end of said neck,

the other of said plates having an upstanding abutment wall with a slotat the foot of the same of a length to pass said head and above that acommunicating slot of less length for receiving said neck and locatingthe laterally extended head in supported engagement with said abutmentwall at the opposite sides of said neck receiving slot and a lever armprojecting from the abutment wall above said head and neck receivingslots,

whereby to extend into position above said head when the two plates areassembled as described and thereby adapted to depress said head intoalignment with said head receiving slot when said plates are relativelyangled to carry said lever ar-m downward into engagement with the head.

2. The invention according to claim 1 with upstanding lugs at the inneredge of said projecting head, curved to roll in engagement with theabutment wall when said plates are rocked into angular relation as setforth.

3. The invention according to claim 1 in which said lever arm is anintegral portion struck out of said abutment wall at the upper end ofthe reduced length neck receiving slot therein.

4. The invention according to claim 2 in which said lugs are spaced topass to opposite sides of the projecting lever arm.

5. The invention according to claim 1 with upstanding guide lugs atopposite ends of the head receiving slot for guiding engagement withopposite sides of the head.

6. The invention according to claim 1 with upstanding lugs struck upwardfrom the inner edge of said head in position for engagement with theabutment wall.

7. The invention according 'to claim 1 with a handle forming leverageextension on the free end of one of said plates and by which that platemay be angularly rocked about the point of engagement with the otherplate to efiect the release action described.

8. The invention according to claim 7 with said handle forming extensionon said slotted plate.

9. The invention according to claim 1 with handle forming leverageextensions on both said plates.

10. The invention according to claim 7 with said handle formingextension projecting from the free end of said lever arm.

11. The invention according to claim 1 with lugs extended angularly fromthe ends of one of said plates, spaced apart the approximate width ofthe belt to which the buckle is to be applied, and

a belt engaging wedge clamp pivoted in said lugs in position to engagethe inner or under face of the belt material and provided with aleverage extension by which said clamp may be released from the beltmaterial to permit adjustment of the buckle with respect to the beltmaterial and thereby providing aforesaid means for attachment to beltWebbing.

12. The invention according to claim 1, with said lever arm of a lengthto effect alignment of said head with said head slot when said plateshave been angled to a predetermined degree of relative inclination.

13. The invention according to claim 11 with a finger engageable lug onthe end of said leverage extension disposed in finger accessibleposition at the edge of the belt material.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 421,735 2/1890 Lippy 24782,074,035 I 3/1937 Ward. 3,081,506 3/1963 Higuchi 24-75 BERNARD A.GELAK, Primary Examiner.

